Method and system for the visually impaired to navigate a route through a facility

ABSTRACT

A system and method of the type for aiding a user in navigating a route through a facility so as too efficiently locate specific items within a facility is provided. The system includes a facility processor having a database and software stored thereon for mapping an interactive route from selected location to selected location within a facility, a label located proximate individual items, the label electronically communicating information specific to the item it is associated with, and a digital device having the interactive route electronically stored thereon, the digital device electronically communicating with the facility processor and the labels for tracking movement of the digital device along the route via communication with the labels and communicating a direction to move to follow the route.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field ofelectronically aided navigation through a facility and in particular toa method and apparatus for guiding visually impaired individuals along aroute in a facility to obtain items or visit locations chosen by theindividual.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] Various methods and systems have been devised to aid visuallyimpaired individuals in unfamiliar surroundings. Devices and systemshave been developed in the past to guide the visually impaired byutilizing detection devices to warn the user of obstacles. These priorart systems merely react and signal the user of obstacles and do not aidthe user in navigating a route.

[0003] Other devices have been developed which aid visually impairedindividuals toward specific locations by utilizing remote moduleslocated at specific locations and a mobile module carried by theindividual recording distances and transmitting information to the user.Although these devices do aid visually impaired individuals to be moremobile and self-sufficient they do not allow for the user to detail hisown task list and have the system create a route for him to travel in amanner to efficiently accomplish the tasks on the list.

[0004] It would be a benefit therefore to have a navigation system thatallows an individual to create his own task list and have a routeprovided to accomplish the tasks listed. It would be a further benefitto have a navigation system that allows an individual to create his owntask list and electronically submit it to a service provider for thepreparation and downloading of a route into the user's personal digitaldevice so as to navigate the route and complete the tasks within aparticular facility. It would be a still further benefit to have anavigation system that is adapted for use with many existing electroniclabel systems currently existing in facilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide anavigation system that allows an individual to create his own task listand have a route provided for the individual to accomplish the tasks onthe list.

[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide anavigation system that allows an individual to create his own task listand electronically submit it to a facility for the preparation anddownloading of a route into the user's personal digital device so as tonavigate the route and complete the tasks within the particularfacility.

[0007] It is a still further object of the present invention to providea navigation system that interacts with many systems already existing infacilities.

[0008] Accordingly, a system and method of the type for aiding a user innavigating a route through a facility so as too efficiently locatespecific items within a facility is provided. The system includes afacility processor having a database and software stored thereon formapping an interactive route from selected location to selected locationwithin a facility, a label located proximate individual items, the labelelectronically communicating information specific to the item it isassociated with, and a digital device having the interactive routeelectronically stored thereon, the digital device electronicallycommunicating with the facility processor and the labels for trackingmovement of the digital device along the route via communication withthe labels and communicating a direction to move to follow the route.

[0009] A user creates a list of items to acquire, or locations to visitthat are specific to a facility. The user then provides this list to afacility processor at the facility or via a network. An interactiveroute is then created to provide an efficient route for the user tolocate all the items on the list. This route is downloaded onto theuser's digital device for utilization in the facility. The systemutilizes two-way communication between the labels and the digital deviceand the digital device and the facility processor when necessary tonavigate through the facility. The digital device indicates a directionto follow until a listed item is located. The system may utilize anymeans necessary, such as visual, audio, and/or physical stimulation, tocommunicate to the user a direction to travel or when an item islocated. This system may be used by the visually impaired. Theinteractive route program may also allow the user to skip items or movethrough the list and select specific items, the route being adjustedaccording to the item selected.

[0010] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features andtechnical advantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, andthe advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingdescriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

[0012]FIG. 1 is an illustration of the navigation system of the presentinvention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a system diagram of a data processing system, includinghardware and firmware, which may be used to implement the presentinvention.

[0014]FIG. 3 is an illustration of a navigation system of the presentinvention utilizing radio frequency (RF) communication.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of initiating the navigationsystem of the present invention.

[0016]FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C is a flowchart of a method of the navigationsystem of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are notnecessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements aredesignated by the same reference numeral through the several figures.

[0018]FIG. 1 is an illustration of the navigation system of the presentinvention generally designated by the numeral 10. Navigation system 10includes a facility processor 12, a personal digital device 14, and afacility 16. System 10 as shown is adapted for use in a facility such asa grocery store or other sales facility. It should be recognized thatnavigation system 10 of the present invention may be utilized in manydifferent types of facilities, such as, but not limited to grocerystores, department stores, hardware stores, entertainment centers andthe like. For brevity and clarity navigation 10 is described forutilization in a grocery store for aiding visually impaired persons tonavigate shopping routes to obtain particular items.

[0019] Facility processor 12 may be a dedicated personal computersystem, a store controller, or a manager's workstation. Facilityprocessor 12 may be a stand-alone processor or connected to otherprocessors, such as, but not limited to, a corporate headquarters,through a network (not shown). Typically, facility processors willcontain inventory data, facility location of inventory, price lists, andpromotional offers among other data necessary to operate a salesfacility.

[0020] Personal digital device 14 is an independently powered,stand-alone, two-way wireless communication device. Personal digitaldevice 14 may be a device such as, but not limited to, a personaldigital assistant, laptop computer, cell phone or other similar device.Personal digital device 10 will have software loaded to allowcommunication with facility processor 12 and labels 18 (FIG. 3).

[0021] A representative hardware environment which can be used forpracticing the present invention is depicted with reference to FIG. 2,which illustrates the hardware configuration of a data processing system213 in accordance with the subject invention. The representative systemmay be utilized, in whole or in part, for various elements of thepresent invention such as facility processor 12, personal digital device14, and label 18 shown in FIG. 3.

[0022] The data processing system 213 includes a central processing unit(CPU) 210, such as a conventional microprocessor, and a number of otherunits interconnected via a system bus 212. The data processing system213 includes a random access memory (RAM) 214 and a read only memory(ROM) 216, and may include flash memory. Data processing system 213 mayalso include an I/O adapter 218 for connecting peripheral devices suchas disk units 220 and tape drives 240 to the bus 212, a user interfaceadapter 222 for connecting a keyboard 224, a mouse 226 and/or other userinterface devices such as a touch screen device to the bus 212, acommunication adapter 234 for connecting the data processing system 213to a data processing network 242, and a display adapter 236 forconnecting the bus 212 to a display device 238 which may include sound.The CPU 210 may include other circuitry not shown herein, which willinclude circuitry found within a microprocessor, e.g., an executionunit, a bus interface unit, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), etc. The CPU210 may also reside on a single integrated circuit (IC).

[0023]FIG. 3 is an illustration of navigation system 10 of the presentinvention utilizing radio frequency (RF) communication. As shown,facility 16 includes facility processor 12 and a plurality of labels 18.Facility processor 12 contains stored information such as storeinventory, price lists, store diagrams, label 18 locations in thefacility, and promotional information. Facility processor 12 may includesoftware which allows mapping of the locations of labels 18 in facility16. Facility processor 12 is connected to one or more RF links 20 fortransmitting and receiving radio frequencies. It should be recognizedthat the system is described utilizing radio frequency, however,infrared technology or hard-wire communication may be utilized.

[0024] Each label 18 may be an independently powered, stand-alone,two-way communication device. Label 18 may be a radio frequencyidentification tag. Labels 18 are placed along shelves, such as in agrocery store, adjacent to a product that it identifies. As representedin FIG. 3, labels 18 have been placed on two rows of shelves forming anaisle. Labels 18 may be loaded with information such as the location oflabel 18, the item represented, item price, and promotional offers. Thisinformation may be pre-loaded and/or edited via communication fromfacility processor 12. Labels 18 may be programmed to transmitinformation back to facility processor 12.

[0025] The electronic label system as shown in FIG. 3 may be utilizedwith systems available for use in retail facilities. The presentinvention utilizes these in-place and readably available systemsin-part, to aid the visually impaired to shop in a self-sufficient andtimely manner.

[0026] A user creates a task list and has an interactive route, createdto locate each item listed, loaded via a network or directly fromfacility processor 12 at facility 16 into personal digital device 14.Once the route is downloaded and the user and personal digital device 14enter a particular facility 16, personal digital device 14 polls labels18 within transmission range. When a label 18 is polled it will respondwith an item identification such as a barcode and may transmit alocation and additional information. When personal digital device 14receives the signal from a label 18, it processes the information sent,comparing it to the route identified and indicates to the user if it isa product he desires or may indicate that the user is to move forward orin a different direction. Personal digital device 14 may transmit thereceived barcode from a label 18 and send it to facility processor 12 toreceive the location of personal digital device 14 for routinginformation. The personal digital device may provide information to theuser utilizing audible, visible, and/or physical stimulation methodssuch as a synthetic voice, buzzers, vibration, braille display, orlights depending on the ability of the user.

[0027] By requesting as little information as possible from labels 18,the label's battery life is prolonged. Additionally, if the wirelesslink between label 18 and personal digital device 14 is limited limitedto a very short range, navigation system 10 can more accurately pinpointthe location of the shopper on the route.

[0028]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of initiating navigation system10 of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 1 through3. A shopper creates a shopping list, step 410. The shopper thentransmits the list to facility processor 12, step 420. The shopper maytransmit the list to facility processor 12 via a network or upload thelist at facility 16. The list may be a hard copy and scanned intofacility processor 12. In step 430, facility processor 12 compares thelisted items to the location of the items in the store and creates anoptimal route through facility 16 to obtain the items listed. The routemay be recalculated during use if the user elects to skip an itemlisted. In step 440, the route is loaded into personal digital device 14of the user either over a network or at facility 16.

[0029]FIG. 5A is a flowchart of a method of navigation system 10 of thepresent invention described in relation to FIGS. 1 through 4. Once theshopper has the route loaded into his personal digital device 14 ,heinitiates the programing and shopping route in step 510. In step 510,the shopper initiates the navigation program by inputting a request forthe first product. The shopper may input the request by typing it intothe personal digital device 14, utilizing voice recognition, utilizing adedicated key on the personal digital device 14, or any other methodknown to operate a computing device by the visually impaired. In step520, personal digital device 14 queries a label 18 for a barcode. Ifmore than one label 18 transmits a barcode, personal digital device 14accepts the strongest signal. In step 530, personal digital device 14queries label 18 for a location; if no location is transmitted fromlabel 18, the information is obtained from facility processor 12. Instep 540, if personal digital device 14 recognizes the barcode as anitem listed, the process continues as shown in FIG. 5B. If the barcodeis not recognized as an item desired, personal digital device 14compares the location of the previous label 18 with that of the currentlabel 18 location, step 550. In step 560, personal digital device 14determines if the shopper is moving in the correct direction. If theshopper is not moving in the correct direction, the correct direction iscalculated, step 570, and the correct direction is indicated to theshopper in step 590. If the shopper is moving in the correct direction,that direction is set in step 580 and is indicated to the shopper instep 590. This process is continued until the shopper locates the firstitem listed.

[0030]FIG. 5B is a flowchart of a method of navigation system 10 of thepresent invention described in relation to FIGS. 1 through 5A. FIG. 5Bis an illustration of the found product process of system 10. Once thebarcode transmitted from a label 18 matches an item listed, anindication is given to the shopper that the item is located, step 600.In step 610, personal digital device 14 inquires if the shopper respondsto the found item. If the shopper does not respond to personal digitaldevice 14, the barcode is again checked against the item listed, step620. If the barcode matches the listed item, the process resets to step600. This loop continues for a set number of times. If the barcode doesnot match the listed item, the process resets to step 520. If theshopper responds that the item is found, personal digital device 14queries if the shopper would like a price check, step 630. If price isrequested, personal digital device 14 queries label 18 and/or facilityprocessor 12 for the price, step 640. The price received is then storedin a running price total, step 650. Then system 10 is set to locate thenext item listed in step 660 and the process continues as shown in FIG.5C. If the shopper does not request a price in step 630, system 10 waitsa specified time for a response, step 670. If the preset wait timepasses, step 680, system 10 is set to the next product listed, step 660.If the shopper indicates by pushing a button or submits a response inanother manner established for another item in step 690, the methodcontinues as shown in FIG. 5C. If the shopper does not give anindication as to price request in steps 670-690, the program repeats aset number of times before moving to step 660.

[0031]FIG. 5C is a flowchart of a method of navigation system 10 of thepresent invention described in relation to FIGS. 1 through 5B. FIG. 5Cillustrates the next selection process which may be utilized at anytime,for example if the shopper decides to reduce the list because of timeconstraints or money concerns. In step 700, personal digital device 14provides for selection of a previous item or next item. This step mayalways be available by vocal command or by physical command and alsoincludes indications from personal digital device 14 to the shopper ofthe next item to pursue. Whichever direction the shopper chooses to gothrough the list, once an item is selected personal digital device 14calculates a route to the selected item, steps 710 and 720. In step 710,the shopper selects an item earlier in the list and the interactiveroute recalculates a route from the current location. In step 720, theinteractive route recalculates a route from the current location to theitem selected that is not the next listed item in the original list. Instep 730, the item is selected and the direction to move is indicated tothe shopper, step 740. The process then continues to step 510. Theprocess may be terminated upon the shoppers request or once all thelisted items have been found. Upon completion of the item list, digitaldevice 14 may indicate a route to a payment station and/or exit (notshown).

[0032] Although the present invention and its advantages have beendescribed in detail, it should be understood that various changes,substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.It should be recognized that the present method and system may beutilized by any individual to speed shopping or locating items in afacility. The label may be a wireless communication device that does nothave the ability to visually display information.

What is claimed is:
 1. A program product comprising: a computer readablemedium; and program instructions stored on said medium accessibly to aninformation handling system and effective when executing to: aid a userto navigate a route through a facility having a plurality of selectedlocations by: storing an interactive route from a first selectedlocation to a second selected location within said facility; storingpolling data of at least one label for item information associated withsaid label, analyzing interactive route information and polling data ata predetermined time and communicating assistive information to saiduser in response to interactive route and polling data.